THE Family Room at a newly-opened family support centre in Limerick city has been dedicated to the
memory of the late Philip McCormack.
Fondly known as ‘The Honda Man’, Philip who died in a road accident on January 8 last, was a big advocate of Familes, a support group for men and women going through a separation/divorce or relationship breakdown.
In 2011, the 40-year-old father-of-one was commissioned to restore and customise two ‘Nifty 50’ motorbikes painted in the Limerick county colours which featured prominently in an 11850 TV advert, which earned him the nickname ‘The Honda Man’.
Earlier this week, his mother Eileen cut the ribbon to the Philip McCormack family room at Familes’ new base at 291 Hyde Road, beside the city’s Colbert train station. A portrait of Philip, painted by his sister Vivienne, also smiles down on all who enter the charity’s new headquarters.
“Philip was a member of MILES (Men In Limerick Experiencing Separation), which is now known as Familes, and he also devoted a lot of his time to the association,” his sister Jennifer explained to the Limerick Post.
“Philip was a real family person, he would do anything for anyone. At one point, Familes were without a base in the city and he let them use one of his properties in Wolfe Tone Street. He would never see anyone stuck.”
“It was a hugely emotional day for all the family but we were all so proud. Philip was so caring, so loving and so helpful. It’s lovely that he has been honoured like this,” Jennifer said.
Familes is a non-profit charity run by dedicated volunteers. The charity provides a 24-hour helpline, mutual support group meetings, counselling, information and advocacy services.
The group has started a women’s support group which meets every Wednesday while support groups for men operate two nights a week. For more details see the families facebook page or call 087-2603603.
